Game Control System

ABSTRACT

A game control system is adapted for tracking game statistics such as balls, strikes, and outs, and for operably controlling a scoreboard for displaying this information, and a pitch clock. The system has a device housing that is sized and shaped to be readily hand-held, and which includes an input device for entering game statistics. The device housing contains a transceiver device operably connected with a power source, the transceiver device enabling communication with the scoreboard and the pitch clock. The device housing further includes a pitch clock display that displays the time remaining on the pitch clock, and a pitch clock reset button which enables a reset of the pitch clock display, and also the pitch clock, during the course of the game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/346,652, filed 27 May 2022.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to control systems used in sports to control a sporting event, and more particularly to an umpire game control device that allows an umpire to control the operations of a baseball game.

Description of Related Art

Hills, U.S. 20070030128, teaches a digital baseball and softball game umpire status indicator comprising a battery powered electronic unit for possessing inputs and associated indicators for balls, strikes, outs, innings, home team and road team scores, and trips to the pitching mound. The housing is ergonomically designed to avoid user fatigue and inadvertent actuation of the inputs. The apparatus also has a time feature, an input lock feature, reset feature, an audible output when the indicators are advanced, and a redundant securing means to prevent inadvertent dropping of the device by the user. The displays are illuminated as required to provide for easy reading at night and during daylight. The device may also be equipped with wireless capabilities for actuation of remote displays such as scoreboards.

Gordon, U.S. Ser. No. 10/596,445, teaches a sports game scorekeeping system comprising electronic instrumentation allowing game officials to electronically input and record game statistics and wirelessly communicate them to both reconfigurable electronic scoreboards and remote computational systems. The instrumentation used by officials may be affixed to the official's arm or wrist and allow for touch or voice inputs so as to minimally distract the official from other game duties.

Nielsen, U.S. 20040166966, teaches an electronic controller inside a weatherproof case, and two alternative remote control units, one a full function remote control, and the other a partial function, or “umpire,” remote control. The electronic controller includes a microprocessor, an RF receiver section, a power control section, and a display control section. It may also include an address selection section and a battery voltage measurement section. The RF receiver section receives pulsed or coded radio frequency signals from the remote controls, and converts them to binary DC signals for the microprocessor. The microprocessor decodes the input and controls the display control section. The display control section controls the switching of power to individual electromagnets in the electromechanical display devices. The power control section provides a controllable regulated voltage to the microprocessor, and a separately controlled regulated voltage to the display control section. The available address selection allows “unit address” selection and rejects incoming signals from remote controls that lack the identical unit address. The available battery voltage measurement section allows the condition of the power source to be displayed.

Dakers, U.S. 20090096593, teaches a control apparatus for controlling and officiating an athletic contest such as a hockey game. The official utilizes a control unit removably mounted on his or her arm. A spring mounted button allows the official to signal time starting and time stoppage events. A keyboard allows the entry of further data relating to the time starting and time stoppage events such as a score or penalty. A bar code scanner allows the official to scan a bar code associated with each player to obtain information of that player. All data and time starting and time stopping events are transmitted wirelessly by the control unit to a receiver-processor located remotely from the control unit.

The prior art does not teach a control device that includes the elements claimed in the present application. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a game control system for tracking game statistics such as balls, strikes, and outs, and for operably controlling a scoreboard for displaying this information, and a pitch clock. The game control system includes a device housing that is sized and shaped to be readily hand-held, the device housing having an input device for entering game statistics. The device housing contains a transceiver device operably connected with a power source, the transceiver device enabling communication with the scoreboard and the pitch clock. The device housing further includes a pitch clock display that displays the time remaining on the pitch clock, and a pitch clock reset button which enables a reset of the pitch clock display, and also the pitch clock, during the course of the game.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a game control system having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a game control system that enables an umpire to not only track important statistics on a handheld device, but so that this handheld device also functions to operably control the displays of both the scoreboard and the pitch clock.

A further objective is to provide a game control system that is easy to use, and which prevents operator errors being generated between the umpire and a second operator of the scoreboard and/or pitch clock.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a game control system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the wireless play communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a game control system for enabling an umpire (or referee, or other game official) to operably control a scoreboard and to direct scoring of a game, particularly in the area of team sports.

FIG. 1 illustrates a game control system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the game control system 10 comprises a counter device 20 for tracking game statistics such as balls, strikes, and outs, and for operably controlling a scoreboard 50 for displaying this information. In this embodiment, the system 10 further includes a pitch clock 60, also operably controlled by the counter device 20, as discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the counter device 20 is in the form of a device housing 22 that is sized and shaped to be readily hand-held, and which houses internal electronics components that may be designed to wirelessly communicate with the scoreboard 50 and the pitch clock 60, i.e., via a wireless communications protocol such as Bluetooth or any other standard known in the art, also discussed in further detail below.

The device housing 22 further comprises an input device 26 for entering various forms of data, as described in greater detail below. While analogue buttons and scroll wheels are illustrated, in other embodiments the input device 26 could alternatively be in other forms of mechanical elements (e.g., buttons, dials, switches), and/or also including non-mechanical features such as voice controls, touch screens, etc., and any other forms of control mechanisms known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the device housing 22 includes a device pitch clock display 24 that displays the time remaining on the pitch clock 60 (illustrated as the number 12, indicating 12 seconds left on the pitch clock). The device housing 22 also mounts a pitch clock reset button 32 (one of the input devices 26) which may wirelessly control the pitch clock 60 and a scoreboard pitch clock display 52 of the scoreboard 50. This enables the umpire to reset the pitch clock during the course of the game. When the pitch clock reset button 32 is depressed, all of the clocks, on the device housing 22, the scoreboard 50, and others, reset and begin counting down again, subject to other control mechanisms which may be used for various purposes. While these features are included in the current embodiment, in some embodiments, as in the case of other sports/activities, the pitch clock 60 may not be included.

In this embodiment, the input device 26 further includes a plurality of scroll wheels 30, including a strike wheel 31, a ball wheel 33, and an out wheel 35 for scrolling between digits 38 that represent the number of strikes, balls, and outs, respectively, which may then be viewed on the counter device 20, and displayed on the scoreboard 50. The input device 26 may also include an out reset button 34, which resets the wheels 31, 33, 35, and in turn updates the scoreboard display of these counts, resetting them to zero for a new batter.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in some implementations of the present invention, the device housing 22 further includes an adjustable game countdown clock 40 for counting down game time, when this is suitable. The adjustable game countdown clock 40 may be displayed for the handheld reference by an official, or it may further be transmitted and displayed on a scoreboard countdown clock 53, or another location. In this embodiment, a vibration device 48 (shown in FIG. 2 ) is triggered when the game time expires. Furthermore, in some implementations, the vibration device 48 may be triggered if the pitch clock display 24, 52, and/or 60 expires, i.e., so an umpire may be notified of a violation without having to take eyes off of the field. Other events may trigger the vibration device 48, e.g., for a foul, incoming communication, etc., or any other event the user wishes to trigger a vibration. As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the input device 26 further includes a clock set button 27, and a clock start button 25. In the illustrated figures, buttons 25 and 27 are displayed on either side of the adjustable game countdown clock 40, but in other embodiments they may be located anywhere on the device 20.

The counter device 20 provides display of and/or control of various metrics to an umpire/referee/etc., and it may be used in conjunction with other parties or systems, such as scorekeeper input station (not shown). For example, in some embodiments the counter device 20 communicates with a scorekeeper, press box, or other system for approval prior to inputs being displayed on the scoreboard 50. Alternatively, the press box may have equal control over the scoreboard 50 as the counter device 20. Many variations such as these are possible, as deemed desirable by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the wireless play communication system 10. As shown in FIG. 2 , the counter device 20 further includes a charging port 42 for charging a battery 44 of the internal electronics component. However, in other embodiments, replaceable or rechargeable batteries may instead be used, including batteries which charge via induction, solar power, heat, etc., which should be considered within the scope of the present invention. Alternative or additional features may further be included in the counter device 20, e.g., a microphone, speaker, and any other features the manufacturer may wish to include.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 , the counter device 20 and the scoreboard 50 each include a transceiver device 46 and 55, respectively, for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, as discussed above. For purposes of this application, the term “transceiver device” is defined to include any form of transmitting and receiving data known in the art, and is not limited to any particular hardware or software. In some embodiments a conversion box 62 may be included for receiving a transmission from the counter device 20, and converting it to a signal for an older or analogue display board.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the transceiver device 46 may be adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal to a dugout display 70, or to a webpage output 72, for allowing various parties to view scores throughout the game/practice. Additionally, the device 46 may be adapted to transmit a signal to other recipients, depending on the needs of the manufacturer, which should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the internal electronics components of the counter device 20 may include the vibration device 48 mentioned above for providing haptic feedback to the user, such as the sending of a signal, and the successful receipt of the signal. The device may further include a computer processor 45 and a computer memory 47 for storing and operating computer code as discussed herein. Various forms of programs may be used for different sports, different referee systems, etc.

Similarly, the internal electronics components of the scoreboard 50 may include the wireless transceiver 55 or equivalent device for receiving (and potentially sending) wireless data, as discussed above. It may further include a power source 56, and a computer processor 57 and a computer memory 58 for storing and operating computer code.

In use, the umpire or similar official holds the counter device 20 and operates the input device(s) 26 during the course of the game. In the case of baseball, he or she can reset the pitch clock as needed during the course of the game, and the clock time is displayed on the scoreboard and other locations. He or she can also keep track of balls, strikes, and outs, using the wheels described above (or other mechanism), and this information is provided to the scoreboard.

In alternative implementations, the inputs transmitted may be in the form of text, wherein the input device 26 may instead include letters or other insignia, or relate to other scoring measurements in various sports, e.g., fouls, shots, time-outs, etc. Furthermore, the counter device 20 may be used in any environment where a referee or similar actor observes activities and keeps various scoring measurements for display on any form of scoreboard 50 (e.g., a theater performance, fighting match, any athletic team sports, etc.). Additional options may be included, such as a feature that allows the user to transmit or receive an audio signal, or any other features known to those skilled in the art.

The title of the present application, and the description given, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean+/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game control system for tracking game statistics such as balls, strikes, and outs, and for operably controlling a scoreboard for displaying this information, and a pitch clock, the game control system comprising: a device housing that is sized and shaped to be readily hand-held, the device housing having an input device for entering game statistics; the device housing containing a transceiver device operably connected with a power source, the transceiver device enabling communication with the scoreboard and the pitch clock; and the device housing further including a pitch clock display that displays the time remaining on the pitch clock, and a pitch clock reset button which enables a reset of the pitch clock display, and also the pitch clock, during the course of the game.
 2. The game control system of claim 1, wherein the game control system further comprising a plurality of scroll wheels including a strike wheel, a ball wheel, and an out wheel, for scrolling between digits that represent the number of strikes, balls, and outs, respectively, which may then be viewed on the counter device.
 3. The game control system of claim 2, wherein the game control system functions to operably control the scoreboard so that the number of strikes, balls, and outs, is transmitted for display on the scoreboard.
 4. The game control system of claim 3, wherein the input device of the game control system further includes a reset button which resets the strike wheel, the ball wheel, and the out wheel, and which also updates the scoreboard display of these counts, resetting them to zero. 